Ronda Rousey will defend title against Sara McMann at UFC 170 in February

Less than two hours after Ronda Rousey had defended her UFC women’s bantamweight title at UFC 168 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, UFC President Dana White announced Rousey’s next fight would be against Sara McMann (7-0) on Feb. 22 at UFC 170 in Las Vegas

The fight was announced at Saturday’s post-fight press conference. With No. 1 contender Cat Zingano still mending a knee injury, the Olympic judo bronze medalist will make her third title defense against a former Olympic wrestler.

Rousey (8-0), who defeated Miesha Tate on Saturday with a third-round armbar submission, said White had approached her about the UFC 170 bout before her fight against Tate.

“I’d taken such a long time off that I felt I wanted to fight again soon. I’m in the best shape of life now,” Rousey said. “So I’ll have another good show for you guys very soon, but at least I’ll have some time to go Christmas shopping. I’d take like a week or two.

“This is what I love to do, I love to do it. And I feel like I can fight again tonight.

Zingano, who had defeated Tate in April to put herself in line for a title shot, tore her ACL in May. White said Zingano is scheduled to begin camp in March and will still get her chance at the bantamweight belt.

Rousey beat Tate at 58 seconds of the third round in the longest fight of Rousey’s young career. All of Rousey’s victories had been in the first round via armbar submission.